Buying a 1988 FJ1200

[Smallfishnz]

Hi everyone
I am looking at buying a 1988 FJ1200 with 133,000 on the clock.
I know it is old but I like the bikes from the 80s and it is in my price range.
Does anyone know of anything I should look out for?
Cheers Martin

[SMOKEU]

With bikes of that vintage and mileage anything and everything can go wrong.

[Warr]

Get a pre-purchase check from a bike shop or someone like Frosty, he has a car yard over Henderson way somewhere and is a member on here.
He has been around long enough to save you buying a lemon

[pzkpfw]

Possibly/probably something you already know, but make sure "price range" includes money for servicing.

There will be stuff that needs fixing or replacing, unless the previous owners have been perfect.

A few seals, a few bearings; a few more dollars.

[admenk]

I had a couple of FJ's back in the UK, an old 1100 chop and a standard FJ1200 ABS. From my own experience they were great bikes and I had no major problems with them. Used up the usual things such as chains and sprockets, and the front brakes liked to bind over the winter due to the salt and crud on the roads over there, but that was easily sorted with the occasional strip down and clean of the calipers. They have a single spring rear suspension, so check that as that could be expensive to replace. The engine's an in line 4 with nothing too fancy to go wrong. Used mine to go all over the UK as well as numerous trips to Europe. My only criticism was that the fuel tank could do with holding a bit more, but frequent stops are no bad thing on a long trip.
Apart from that, it's just the usual things to check when buying a second hand bike. Of course, just because mine were great, that's not to say there aren't any duds out there, but I had mates with them as well, and never heard anything but praise.

[jasonu]

Hi everyone
I am looking at buying a 1988 FJ1200 with 133,000 on the clock.
I know it is old but I like the bikes from the 80s and it is in my price range.
Does anyone know of anything I should look out for?
Cheers Martin

What is your price range $0-$30???

[martybabe]

Double check the discs all run true for the reasons admenk outlined. Look and listen for creaking/notchiness from rear suspension. An annoying ticking from the engine is common and nothing to worry about. Make sure you understand the operation of the fuel switch before you go tiki.

Essentially a fast and reliable sport tourer with very few known faults so it's a good choice but all bikes can be abused/neglected and it's a fair old age, if you have someone that knows his stuff take him with you for sure.

P.s. That bike has been re-sprayed and has the fairing protectors missing, it may be that the paintwork was just tired but it may also indicate accident damage, check as best you can for signs of repair inside the plastics and cracks at the screw fixings. The mirrors are not standard also, tipped over or changed by choice? Could be a good buy for the money but check it like you were spending big bucks. Good luck.

[sil3nt]

What is your price range $0-$30???

It's free! http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-324406316.htm

[H00dz]

I can't fault the FJ, sure there old as the hills but everyone whose owned one seem pleased to have one.

as already mentioned there are a few on trade me.....

Hope you a good one and join the fraternity

FJ's 4 EVA!!!

[Muppet]

I wouldn't bother. Save more cash and get a decent bike, save you money in the long run.

[FJRider]

With bikes of that vintage and mileage anything and everything can go wrong.

Bullshit... its a FJ1200 ... not some candy-ass 250 ...

[SMOKEU]

Bullshit... its a FJ1200 ... not some candy-ass 250 ...

That doesn't mean they're any more reliable.

[FJRider]

That doesn't mean they're any more reliable.

its the same age as yours ... is YOURS NOT ... ???

[Richard Mc F]

Rear shock will probably be toast, clutch may be close as well, and the rear suspension linkages may need lubing, fuel pump may be getting sad, I would consider doing alternator brushes.

Best tyres are the metzler lasertec.

Apart from that ............. great bikes, mine has 182000 and is still going strong